Tag: Sermon Starter

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The Magnetism of the Cross

“The Way of the Cross leads home”

The Magnetism of the Cross

Jesus said that if He was lifted up from the earth on a cross, He  would “draw all men unto Himself.” There is a magnetism to the cross of Jesus Christ. The cross has a drawing power . . . it draws all men to Christ? What is it that gives the cross such appeal?

I. The Cross Has the Magnetism of Love . . .

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (perfect sacrifice) for our sins”–I John 4:10.

The surest and purest place where the Love of God can be seen in all its dimensions is the cross of Calvary. That’s why folks regardless of ethnicity, social stratus, economic standing, and cultural environment are drawn to it. We are drawn to the cross by the drawing power of God’s Love–See John 3:16.

II. The Cross Has the Magnetism of Forgiveness . . .

The greatest need we have is the need for forgiveness. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”–Romans 3:23. Jesus’ death on the cross is God’s answer to man’s sin. In and through His death God offers us forgiveness and cleansing–See Romans 5:8.

III. The Cross Has the Magnetism of Victory . . .

The cross of Calvary was a struggle between God and Satan, between light and darkness, between good and evil, between two rulers contending for world supremacy. Jesus emerged the victor. We too seek victory over sin and death, so we also are drawn to the cross of Christ. In it we discover ultimate victory.

The geographical heart of 19th century London was Charing Cross. Locals referred to it simply as “the cross.” A story circulated at that time among evangelical preachers about “the cross.” It seems a London police officer found a sobbing little boy who was lost and unable to tell the officer where he lived. Finally amid the tears he said, “If you will take me to the Cross, I can find my way home.”

It is believed that Jessie Pounds, an Ohio woman, who wrote over 400 hymns, heard that story and penned the classic, “The Way of the Cross Leads Home.”

I must needs go home by the way of the cross,
There’s no other way but this;
I shall ne’er get sight of the Gates of Light,
If the way of the cross I miss.

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Turning Water into Wine ~ Beginning of Miracles

“This was the beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:11

John records turning of water into wine as Jesus’ first miracle or sign. Jesus performed lots of miracles when He was on earth. The gospel of John records seven . . .

“By believin’ you can have everlastin’ life in His Name”

  1. Turning water into wine—John 2:1-11
  2. Healing of a boy—John 4:46-54
  3. Healing of a man by a pool—John 5:1-9
  4. Feeding of the 5000—John 6:5-13
  5. Jesus walking on water—John 6:19
  6. Healing of a blind man—John 9:1-7
  7. Raising Lazarus from the dead—John 11:38-44

John picked out these miracles as proof that Jesus is truly God, the very Son of God. He states this in John 20:30-31 “Now there’s a whole lot more signs and miracles Jesus did when He was with His disciples that ain’t wrote down in this book, but these here are a Continue reading “Turning Water into Wine ~ Beginning of Miracles”

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In the Beginning

“Without Jesus nothin’ was made that has been made”

“Before time was ever started, Jesus was there. Jesus was with God and Jesus was surely God. Before ever any woods or prairies, outfits or herds, He was there. At the very first rodeo when the chute opened He was right there with God. Everything as far as eye can see was made by Jesus, and without Jesus nothin’ was made that has been made. In Jesus was the spark of life, and that life is the light for all folks. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can’t do anything about it”—John 1:1-5 (The Gospel of John Cowboy Style).

The first person we meet in the Gospel of John is Jesus. John wants us to know right away that Jesus has always existed, even from before the very Continue reading “In the Beginning”

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Betrayal

Jesus Betrayed by Judas Iscariot

“Jesus became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me’ . . . ‘That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.’ So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore, Jesus said to him, ‘What you do, do quickly.’”—John 13:21, 26-27.

“Who has not felt the bitter sting of betrayal? If there was one thing a cowboy’s life on the open range depended upon, it was the certainty that his

Betrayal ~ Broken Trust

friends on the trail were looking out for him. That cowboy riding by his side would have his back when a stamped erupted or a snake suddenly struck. Someone would be there if danger threatened from any direction. He was not alone. There were perils on the open range and no cowboy would leave another in harm’s way. Yet that is exactly what happened to Jesus. One who had walked with Him for three years, shared in His ministry, listened to His teaching, and had seen His miracles now will turn on Him as His enemies close in. The Continue reading “Betrayal”

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Meeting By An Old Watering Hole

Finding water on cattle drives was an absolute necessity for both cattle and drovers. Most trails like the Good Night Loving Trail, the Great Western Trail and the Chisholm Trail over which cattle were pushed to rail heads in the north had well marked watering places. These watering places whether it was a muddy pond or a fast-moving river were often called ‘watering holes’ by the cowboys.

Watering holes for travelers in the days of Jesus were just as necessary and sought after as those of the wild west.  One such watering hole is that

An old watering hole

described in the 4th chapter of John. It was an ancient well dug by Jacob. It was located at a historical and spiritually significant parcel of land located

between the twin mountains of Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim. At the time of the writing of John’s Gospel it was still in use and provided life-giving water to the residents of the little Samaritan village of Sychar.

It is at this well, an old watering hole where a very famous and life- Continue reading “Meeting By An Old Watering Hole”